By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
A young woman suffered major injuries in an accident on Interstate 5 late Monday afternoon, March 28.
According to the Willows area office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 5:48 p.m., Samantha Flynn, 18, was driving her 1997 Dodge Ram pickup north in the fast lane of Interstate 5 at County Road 68 at an unknown speed.
Flynn was said by the CHP to be from Walnut Creek but was apparently attending school in Cottonwood.
Armandeep Singh, 53, of Manteca, was driving his 2020 Kenworth south in the slow lane of I-5, approaching Road 68 at about 62 miles per hour.
For an unknown reason, Flynn allowed her vehicle to travel off the west roadway edge and onto the gravel shoulder, then made an unsafe turning movement to the right.
As her vehicle reentered the roadway, she made another turning movement back to the left. As a result, Flynn lost control of the Dodge, which traveled across the dirt and grass median and began crossing the southbound lanes of I-5, directly into the path of the Kenworth.
Singh applied his brakes and steered to the right but was unable to avoid a collision. The front of the Kenworth broadsided the pickup.
According to CHP Officer Cushman, Flynn was not wearing her seatbelts at the time of the accident. She suffered major injuries and was transported by the Enloe FlightCare helicopter to U.C. Davis Medical Center.
Singh was wearing his seatbelts and was not injured.
According to a GoFundMe drive by Willie Church, varsity softball coach at West Valley High School in Cottonwood, Flynn “is currently in ICU at UC Davis Medical Center.” Church’s statement was posted on the Facebook page of Adam Flynn on March 30.
Church writes, “Sammy is suffering from multiple fractures in her spine, a broken collarbone, a broken sternum, a punctured lung and some internal bruising along with other injuries.”
Church continues, “Sammy was new to our team this year and has only played in our first seven games. She was on her way to having a great senior year with her new team.
“Most recently, in a game against Yamhill, Ore., Sammy was named the ‘Player of the Game’, going 3 for 3 with three RBI’s.
“No one knows what the future holds for our Sammy,” writes Church, “but I know she will fight to get better and to get back with her team.”
He concludes, “All donations will go straight to Sammy and her family, to be put towards medical expenses, hotels, gas, and for a new vehicle for Sammy to drive when she gets well.”
Those wishing to contribute to this fundraiser should go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundraising-for-sammy?qid=0245ecf01bc00d1008c9b906cc64bd14
The Glenn County Observer 